When war broke out in Iran, a new initiative called Continuum: Artist Relief for Iran emerged to connect contemporary artists living inside the country with international audiences. The platform, at iranartistrelief.org, brings together more than 500 original artworks by over 200 artists. Eleven commercial galleries across Iran have waived 100% of their sales commissions, and Duran Art Projects charges no platform fees, meaning every completed sale goes directly to the artist.
The project was founded by Dario Duran, a Canadian-Iranian curator, and Mariam Rasti, co-founder of Duran Art Projects. Duran, who moved to Iran six years ago, was displaced when conflict escalated. He fled Shiraz with his parents, who were visiting from Canada, traveling by ground to the north of the country.
Artists lose hope as galleries close
In the north, Duran met dozens of displaced cultural workers who had fled bombed cities like Tehran and Isfahan. He and Rasti stayed in constant communication with artists. "One thing we saw over and over again was that, like never before, the artists were losing hope," Duran recalls. "Cancelled exhibitions, galleries closing, not being able to find materials, artists being displaced – every single person was going through the exact same uncertainty of what happens tomorrow."
Iran's art world operates in isolation from international banking. Artists typically work for one or two years to prepare a body of work, relying on a single gallery showcase to generate enough sales to survive for the next two years. When conflict halted that cycle, creators faced immediate ruin. Duran says: "What matters, more than anything else, is simply sales. These artists were not able to pay their rent."
Guerrilla logistics for shipping art
Delivering physical artworks out of a country under military bombardment and sanctions requires ingenuity. Initially, Continuum relied on two domestic courier services flying packages to Dubai and Istanbul. As regional airspace closed, couriers adapted. Duran explains: "There is a man who had a courier company that was forced to shut down. In order to keep his business going, he is now using the ground borders, moving overland from Iran into Armenia. He goes by the land border, carries the artworks into Armenia and ships them out from there with full insurance."
Continuum informs buyers that delivery may take three to six months. Prices are capped across three tiers: up to $500, $500–$2,500, and $2,500–$5,000.
Artists find hope and connection
Artist Mehrdad Jafari, 43, who grew up in Mazandaran, says the initiative brings a sense of calm. "It's a bridge for us to connect with an international audience," he says. "Because of Continuum, I am more invigorated than ever to work. It gives us hope that life can carry on."
Elham Issari, 38, who studied art in London, says even without sales, the initiative offers emotional validation. "It's that feeling of being seen," she says. "Just the fact that you're being seen means a lot." She adds: "I always have faith in the fact that art will survive, regardless of everything and anything. Artists are the best. If problem-solving were an Olympic sport, we would win a gold medal every time. We will find a way."
